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Mental health
parity bill earns approval
(November
2007 Issue)
By Phyllis Hanlon
The road to mental health parity has survived several bumps in
the road since 1996 when the federal government passed watershed
legislation to equalize treatment for physical and mental illness.
Earlier this year, Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Pete Domenici
(R-N.M.), and Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) filed a more comprehensive bill
(S.558), which earned Senate approval on September 18.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), more
than 44 million Americans live with some type of mental disorder.
Approximately one-third receive treatment, while many mental illnesses
remain unreported. Additionally, research studies have proven the
existence of links between mental health disorders and physical
disease such as heart attacks and other life-threatening conditions.
This parity bill strives to equalize coverage for mental and physical
ailments.
On February 14, 2007, this legislation gained overwhelming approval
from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
with an 18-3 vote. One of the largest groups to benefit from this
legislation is the self-funded employee health benefit plans. While
43 states have some level of mental health parity coverage on the
books, these laws do not currently cover the above-mentioned plans.
Substance abuse will also be covered under the new parity law.
Some opponents argue that the cost of this coverage will be too
high. However, the Congressional Budget Office foresees an average
increase of 0.4 percent in insurance premiums.
In August, Senators Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.)
stalled the approval process when they placed holds on the bill,
requesting the opportunity for additional discussion and debate.
However, one month later, Sen. DeMint lifted his hold and the Senate
passed the bill. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives
for discussion and vote.
Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., executive director for the APA's Professional
Practice, applauds passage of this bill. "For more than a decade,
the American Psychological Association has been working to put an
end to insurance practices that discriminate against those with
mental health disorders. It has taken many years, considerable work
and an unprecedented level of consensus between the mental health
advocacy community and employers to finally be confident that genuine
parity will soon be in place," he says. "When the Mental Health
Parity Act of 2007 is signed into law, more than 113 million Americans
will benefit. We look forward to action in the House as soon as
possible."
Newman credits the originators of the bill for "their persistent
efforts on this issue and the leadership they have provided in spearheading
this bill."
The House's version of a mental health parity bill (HR 1424) earned
approval from the House Ways and Means Committee by a 27-13 vote
on September 26. Sponsored by Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.)
and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), the bill is the brainchild of the late
Paul Wellstone and includes broader protection and coverage for
those with mental illness.
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